Hallandale mayor threatens to remove Commissioner London from not-so-civil meeting

Commissioner Keith London, seated, asks Police Chief Dwayne Flournoy whether he is going to put cuffs on him. Mayor Joy Cooper had asked that London be removed for being disruptive. In the end, he stayed. (Susannah Bryan/Sun Sentinel)

Just weeks after Keith London rejoined the Hallandale Beach commission, he came close to being kicked out of City Hall on Monday by his longtime nemesis, Mayor Joy Cooper.

A veteran commissioner, London stepped down in 2012 to challenge Cooper for the mayoral seat. He lost that race, but returned to the commission in November, sparking questions of how long it might take for his legendary battles with Cooper to resume.

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As it turns out, not long at all.

The commission, known for its feisty tiffs, found itself in the middle of another volatile row Monday evening, with a handful of staffers and residents looking on while Cooper and London shouted over one another like rabid fans at a football game.

The fight was over Cooper's decision to enforce Robert's Rules Of Order, more commonly known as parliamentary procedure, in what she called an attempt to gain control over unruly meetings.

As mayor, Cooper said she alone had the right to interrupt other speakers. Commissioners could only speak when called on and would not be allowed to speak beyond the allotted time.

London accused Cooper of "blowing smoke" and questioned her knowledge of Robert's Rules.

"I have the right to interrupt!" Cooper shot back. "I have the right to gavel you. And I will have you removed," she said.

Undeterred, London grabbed the gavel, banged it several times, and shouted: "Stop interrupting people!"

Cooper warned him she was having him removed for being rude and disruptive.

Police Chief Dwayne Flournoy made his way up to the dais. Another officer stood, ready to assist.

"I would like Commissioner London removed now," Cooper said, her voice rising.

"I have the floor," London snapped. "Learn the rules!"

Cooper again demanded that London be removed. But Commissioner Anthony Sanders urged her to take a moment and "chill."

Cooper announced a 10-minute recess and walked off the dais.

London remained seated, at one point asking the chief if he was going to handcuff him.

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When the meeting resumed, Cooper said she hoped her colleagues could proceed in a civil manner.

Monday night's heated exchange began brewing last week when the commission disagreed over when the Community Redevelopment Agency board should meet.

Because the mayor, Sanders and Commissioner Bill Julian agreed to move the meeting's start time from 6 p.m. to 4 p.m., only three of the city's five elected officials may be overseeing the CRA.

Hallandale's redevelopment agency was rapped by Broward's Inspector General in 2013 for "gross mismanagement" of public money to the tune of more than $2.1 million.

Both London and Commissioner Michele Lazarow — who were absent when the vote was taken on the new time — say they can't make the 4 p.m. meetings. They told the mayor last week they felt the time change was unfair, because they were not able to weigh in.

Both were absent when Monday's CRA meeting began at 4 p.m.

In the spirit of compromise, Cooper agreed to switch the time to 5 p.m. going forward.

The CRA meeting had already ended when Lazarow and London took their seats on the dais, but a commission workshop was under way.

When told of the 5 p.m. start time, London chided Cooper for yet again taking a vote when he and Lazarow weren't around to chime in.

"The three of you decided to make the rules without discussion," he said. "It sounds to me like it's just like it was last week."